This England

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Burning the Clocks, Madeira
Drive, Brighton, East Sussex
BN2 1PS. Marking the shortest
day of the year, all shapes and
sizes of lanterns are paraded
through the streets before being
burnt on the beach. Parade
starts at 6.30pm with a firework
finale to celebrate the start of
longer days. Tel: 01273 571106.
24
Christmas Eve
Festival of Nine Lessons and
Carols, King’s College Chapel,
King’s Parade, Cambridge
CB2 1ST. First broadcast in
1928, the service is now heard
by millions around the world.
The opening carol is always
“Once in Royal David’s City”
and the service always includes
a new, specially commissioned
carol. There are limited seats
so hours of queuing will be
necessary. Starts 3pm.
Tel: 01223 331100.
25 Christmas Day
Peter Pan Cup Race, Hyde Park,
London W2 2UH. Members
of the Serpentine Swimming
Club swim their traditional
100yd Christmas Day race.
The competition has been held
since 1864 and the swimmers
compete for a cup that was
donated by J.M. Barrie in 1904.
The race takes place from the
south bank of the lake and starts
at 9am.
26 Boxing Day
MATTHEW ANDREWS
Fireworks Spectacular, River
Thames, London. The London
Eye and the riverbanks are
transformed at the stroke of
midnight by a dazzling display.
Please note: This popular event
is ticketed, available from
www.london.gov.uk/nye
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19
Floodlit Swan Suppers, WWT
Slimbridge Wetland Centre,
Slimbridge, Gloucestershire
GL2 7BT. Experience the sight
and sound of hundreds of
swans on a floodlit lake before
enjoying a two-course meal.
To 20th. Tel: 01453 891223.
1 FEBRUARY
13
MATTHEW ANDREWS
Lumiere London, various venues, London. See the capital in a whole
new light as more than 40 world-class UK and international artists
illuminate public spaces on both sides of the Thames. This free event
is designed to lift the spirits in the dark days of winter and includes
Westminster Abbey, The National Theatre, King’s Cross, Covent Garden
and Waterloo. To 21st.
Snowdrop Open Days,
Colesbourne Park,
Colesbourne, near Cheltenham,
Gloucestershire GL53 9NP.
Described as “England’s greatest
snowdrop garden” by Country
Life. There are 350 varieties
set in 10-acre gardens.
To 4th. Also open 10th–11th;
24th–25th and 3rd–4th March.
Tel: 01242 870567;
www.colesbournegardens.org.uk
Boxing Day Dip, Whitby,
North Yorkshire. For the last
45 years intrepid swimmers
have braved the icy waters of
the North Sea to raise money
for local charities. Starts
10am. Further details visit
www.whitbylions.org
31 New Year’s Eve
Winter Festival, Monument —
Newcastle City Centre NE1 6JG.
A free event with an amazing
torchlight procession and many
other attractions. From 4.30pm;
parade at around 5.15pm with
a dazzling firework finale at
midnight. Tel: 0191 4405720.
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10
JANUARY
New Year’s Day Parade,
Piccadilly to Parliament Square,
London. More than 10,000
musicians, dancers, marching
bands, historic vehicles and
entertainers parade
through the streets in this
colourful celebration of the
new year. Starts 12 noon;
www.visitlondon.com
London Boat Show, ExCel,
One Western Gateway,
Royal Victoria Dock, London
E16 1XL. More than 500
exhibitors showcase the best
in watercraft innovations,
equipment and holidays. Boats
of all shapes and sizes from
kayaks to super-yachts will be
on display, and there is also the
opportunity to try immersive
and interactive experiences.
To 14th. Tel: 0844 776 7766.
27
MICHAEL EDWARDS
Peace Proms, Echo Arena
Liverpool, Kings Dock, Liverpool
Waterfront L3 4FP. A celebration
of culture and diversity with the
aim of promoting peace and
tolerance through music.
Tel: 0844 8000 400.
Exhibition: “Charles I: King
and Collector”, Royal Academy
of Arts, Burlington House,
Piccadilly, Mayfair, London W1J
0BD. Charles I amassed one
of the most extraordinary art
collections of the age but after
his death this was sold off and
scattered around the world.
Now, for the first time since the
17th century, masterpieces from
this magnificent collection are
reunited. To 15th April.
Tel: 020 7300 8090;
www.royalacademy.org.uk
14
MICHAEL PRESTON/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO
Dalston Clowns’ Service, Holy
Trinity Church, Beechwood
Road, London E8 3DY. The
service commemorates the life
of Joseph Grimaldi, the “father”
of the modern clown. Expect
a congregation wearing heavy
make-up and baggy trousers
and a laughter-filled service
complete with squirting flowers
and pedal-cars in the nave!
Tel: 020 7254 5062.
14 St. Valentine’s Day
THIS ENGLAND, Winter, 2017 77